The Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH), which includes an existing 1,811 km (1,125 mi) route comprising
NH-13 (1,559 km (969 mi)) and parts of
NH-15 (80 km (50 mi)),
NH-215 (30 km (19 mi)) and SH-25, is an under-construction 2-lane more than 2,407 km (1,496 mi) long highway passing through 16 districts in
Arunachal Pradesh state in
India. It runs from
LAC in
Tawang in northwest to
Kanubari in southeast at tri-junction of
Assam-
Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh. It connects at least 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The Trans-Arunachal Highway greatly helps in reducing isolation of the people by connecting the district headquarters, major hydro electric power projects and other important places.[1] Trans-Arunachal Highway, along with the under-construction
Arunachal East-West Corridor across the lower foothills inside Arunachal Pradesh along the Assam border and the proposed
Arunachal Frontier Highway along the China border, are important enablers of
Northeast development and India's
Look East connectivity strategy.[8] This strategically important highway network enhances
Indian military's capabilities in combating the threat of China's
Western Theater Command opposite India's eastern sector of
Line of Actual Control.
In October 2022, 1,458 km long route was complete and already operational.[9] TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari in
Longding district has a target completion date of March 2024.[10]
Following follow agencies are responsible for the construction of TAH in several packages.
Arunachal Pradesh state Public Works Department (APPWD): responsible for the 978 km, of which 394.59 km is already complete by Aug 2021, and remaining 583.41 km is under construction in several packages with target completion date of March 2024.[10]
Longding-
Mon spur must be constructed as a national highway as an additional project.
Future extensions
Following extensions are needed to optimise the connectivity with the neighboring states and beyond, as these extensions will enable the larger national strategic objectives including eliminating the vulnerability of
Siliguri Corridor.
From Tuting in Arunachal to Bogibeel Bridge to Tuli (Nagaland): via Lezai Miri Pathergam, Naharani on NH-2, Hati Barua and Charimuthia Gaon to Changdhore.
Sumdrung in Arunachal - Kangpar-Pasapu-Narpu in Bhutan
Arunachal-Sikkim via Bhutan: Narpu-Galechugaon-Darphu-Chukka-Dengna-Dorokha - Rango Forest on India-Bhutan border, to
NH-717A at beginning of SH-12
SH-12: Upgrade from Bhutan border to Nepal border at Mana Bhanjang.
Nepal-India connectivity: Mana Bhanjang on Nepal-West Bengal border to Gooduk (upgrade existing), Damak (greenfield), to Chichhora (upgrade existing F02) on Nepal-Bihar border.
Bihar connectivity: upgrade existing SH-99 Chichhora-Jogihat-Baisi to
NH-29.
Six Inter-corridor highways
To providing missing interconnectivity between three horizontal national highways across Arunachal Pradesh - Frontier Highway, Trans-Arunachal Highway and East-West Industrial Corridor Highway - following six vertical and diagonal national highway corridors of total 2178 km length will be built, which will also provide faster access to geostrategically important areas on India-China LAC.[13][14]
2023 May: all the DPR (detailed project reports), various approvals including environmental and forest, and land acquisition will be completed by March 2025, and construction will be completed in 2 years by March 2027.[15]
Swadesh Darshan Tourist Circuits along the highways in Arunachal: In 2015 under the
Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Indian approved the funds to develop the following two tourist circuits in Arunachal Pradesh:[16]
"Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang Tourist Circuit" along the Arunachal Frontier Highway at the cost of ₹49.77 crore: The "facilities like accommodation, cafeteria, wayside amenities, last mile connectivity, pathways, toilet were built at Sorang Monastery, Lumpo, Zemithang, Bumla Pass, Gritsang, TSO lake, PTSO Lake, Thingbu and Grenkha Hot Spring, Lumla, Sela Lake." A multipurpose hall was built at at Jang.[16]
"Nafra-Seppa-Pappu-Pasa-Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota-New Sagalee-Ziro-Yomcha Tourist Circuit" along the Trans-Arunachal Highway at the cost of ₹97.14 crores: The "helipad, wayside amenities, trekking trails, rafting centre, log huts, craft bazaar, eco park, tourist facilitation centres, parking, multipurpose Hall, festival ground etc." were built.[16]
Current status
Feb 2018:₹100,000 million (US$1.2 billion) Tawang to Wakro NH-13 became operational in 2018 when 6.2 km long
Dibang River Bridge was completed across
Dibang River.[17][18] This completion of entire NH-13, partially completes the route for Trans-Arunachal Highway.
Aug 2021: TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari, is being constructed by 4 entities: Arunachal Pradesh state PWD (APPWD), BRO, MoRTH, and NHIDCL. Of the 978 km allocated to APPWD, 394.59 km is already complete and remaining 583.41 km is under construction in several packages with target completion date of March 2024.[10]
October 2022: 1,458 km long route, out of 1,540 km long approved DPR, is complete and operational. Remaining 82 km is under construction. Another nearly 300 km long roure is either being completed under other projects or the DPRs are in various stages of preparation and approval.[9]